A nurse is assessing a patient who was diagnosed with emphysema and chronic bronchitis 5 years ago. During the assessment of this patient's integumentary system, what finding should the nurse correlate to this respiratory disease?
A) Dry, flaky skin
B) Clubbing of the fingers
C) Hypertrophy of the nails
D) Hair loss from the scalp

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clubbing of the fingers develops due to chronic hypoxemia, which occurs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dry, flaky skin occurs with dehydration. Hypertrophy of the nails occurs with repeated trauma. Hair loss from the scalp is alopecia, which occurs with many systemic diseases, but not chronic pulmonary disease.

A Nurse Is Assessing a Patient Who Was Diagnosed with Emphysema